Read Doug’s articles originally printed in The Jerusalem Post.
Profile Perspectives
Proper financial planning can change your relationship with money.
When the Market Shifts, Stay Focused on the Plan
A longtime client called me recently after seeing a dip in his portfolio. Over the years, he’d done very well, patiently riding the ups and downs by following a solid market volatility plan. But this shift caught his attention.
“There wasn’t any big news,” he said. “So why the drop?”
He wasn’t upset—just curious…. Read more
Struggling to Manage U.S. Investments from Israel?
Struggling to manage your U.S. investments from Israel? That’s understandable, since you’re not just dealing with numbers. You’re navigating a financial maze spanning two continents. A question I hear all the time is: “How can I simplify my U.S. accounts now that I live in Israel?”
For Americans abroad,… Read more
Investment Anxiety: What to Do When Your Portfolio Drops
Ever check your portfolio before breakfast and lose your appetite?
If you’ve experienced cross-border investment anxiety, you’re not alone. One minute you’re thinking about coffee, the next you’re staring at a red number that wasn’t there yesterday. For Americans living in Israel, investing across time zones adds a layer of uncertainty…. Read more
When Buying Real Estate Is the Wrong Investment
Is real estate the wrong investment for cross-border retirees? Real estate can be an attractive investment, tangible, familiar, and emotionally satisfying. But too often, investors overlook the true costs and limitations that come with owning property. Especially in retirement, locking up your money in bricks and mortar might create more problems than it solves. … Read more
High Dividend, High Stress
“Is the risk really worth it?”
That was the question a retired professor asked after a dividend-paying stock he picked dropped nearly 8% in just a few weeks.
He had researched it carefully, attracted by a 15% yield. He wasn’t chasing quick wins, he simply wanted steady income from his U.S…. Read more
Financial Peace Comes from Preparation, Not Prediction
What’s the secret to financial confidence through preparation? It’s not luck. It’s the cushion that comes from planning ahead.
A client I recently spoke with illustrated this perfectly. Her calendar was packed: a nephew’s bar mitzvah, a family reunion, summer plans in New York. Her husband, a tech executive, was traveling across the U.S…. Read more
Retiring Soon? Don’t Let the Fear of Taxes Freeze Your Strategy
Many investors near retirement fear making the wrong move—but few realize that maintaining the status quo might be the most dangerous decision of all.
A potential client walked into my office with a solid plan. He had carefully arranged his accounts, set a conservative pension strategy to protect his spouse, and built a lifestyle that fit his values…. Read more
International Inheritance Headaches—and How to Avoid Them
A client in Israel called me, frustrated. His mother had passed away in the U.S., leaving him a substantial inheritance. But despite her detailed will, he couldn’t access the funds. The lawyer who drew up the will hadn’t anticipated cross-border issues, and the American documents didn’t align with Israeli requirements. Moreover,… Read more
Turn Your IRA Into an Investment Powerhouse
Many Americans living in Israel have an IRA tucked away—maybe from a former job in the U.S. or inherited from a parent. But too often, those accounts just sit there, ignored. It’s important to remember that an IRA isn’t just a container for retirement money—it’s a full-fledged investment account with real potential. … Read more
Don’t Let Aliya Derail Your Investments
A longtime reader called me recently, excited—but also a little panicked. After years of dreaming about aliya, he was finally making the move. But then came the big question:
“Doug, what do I do with my dollars? Should I move them all to Israel? Sell everything? What happens to my U.S…. Read more